Colorado State football suffered a 56‑26 defeat at home against Oregon State on Saturday, prompting head coach Jim Mora to make an immediate coaching change on the sideline. Midway through the first quarter, after the Beavers built a 14‑0 lead, defensive coordinator Tyson Summers left the field without explanation.
Coach Mora acts swiftly
Speaking to reporters after the game, Mora said he had already relieved Summers of his defensive play‑calling duties before the first half ended. Mora added that Summers “made the decision on his own to leave the field,” indicating the move was not a forced removal at that moment but a response to the coordinator’s own actions.
Later, Mora confirmed that Summers is no longer part of the Colorado State Rams staff. The decision aligns with the recent pattern of defensive struggles: the Rams had surrendered 59 points to UTSA just a week earlier in a 59‑45 loss.
Interim adjustments
Following Summers’ departure, co‑defensive coordinator Kenny McClendon assumed responsibility for defensive play‑calling. Despite the change, the Rams were unable to stem Oregon State’s offensive surge, which added another 21 points in the second quarter and carried a 35‑14 lead into halftime. The Beavers completed the 30‑point victory on the road.
Coach Mora is in his first season at Colorado State after four years at UConn, where he guided the Huskies to back‑to‑back nine‑win seasons in 2024 and 2025. Prior to joining Mora’s staff, Summers served as interim head coach for the final five games of the 2025 season after former head coach Jay Norvell was dismissed. Mora initially retained Summers as defensive coordinator, but the recent events suggest the relationship has ended.
Impact on the program
The abrupt coaching change underscores the urgency of addressing defensive deficiencies within the Rams’ program. With the season still in its early stages, the staff will need to evaluate schemes and personnel to improve performance against conference opponents.
Colorado State’s athletic department has not released a formal statement regarding the next steps for the defensive staff or a timeline for hiring a permanent replacement. Fans and alumni are encouraged to follow official channels for updates as the program moves forward.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
